New Delhi, April 2 – The Election Commission of India (ECI) reminded candidates and political parties contesting the April 9 Assembly elections and by-elections on Thursday that a 48-hour silence period – which prohibits the broadcast of opinion polls and the display of election material – will be enforced from 6 p.m. on April 7, an official said.
In Assam, however, the 48-hour silence period will begin at 5 p.m. on April 7 and end with the conclusion of voting on April 9 at 5 p.m., according to an official statement, adding that the release of exit poll results is prohibited before the end of voting on April 9 and April 29.
The poll panel cautioned television/radio channels and cable networks not to display opinion polls during the silence period.
The ECI stated that Section 126 (1)(b) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, prohibits the display of any election material by means, inter alia, of television or similar apparatus, in any polling area during the 48-hour period (silence period) ending with the hour fixed for the conclusion of the poll for any election in that polling area.
"Violation of Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 is punishable with imprisonment of up to two years, or with a fine, or both," the statement said.
"Television channels and cable networks must ensure that the content of the programmes they broadcast/transmit/display during the silence period should not contain any material, including views/appeals by panelists/participants, that may be construed as promoting/prejudicing the prospects of any particular party or candidate, or influencing/affecting the outcome of the election," the ECI said.
In Kerala and Puducherry, the silence period will begin at 6 p.m. on April 7 and end at 6 p.m. on voting day, April 9, according to the statement.
Since the by-elections in Goa, Karnataka, Nagaland, and Tripura are scheduled for April 9, the 48-hour silence period in these states will also begin on the evening of April 7, the statement said.
"On April 21 evening, the silence period will be enforced for the Tamil Nadu Assembly election, the first phase of the West Bengal Assembly election, and the by-elections in Gujarat and Maharashtra," the ECI said.
"For the second phase of the West Bengal Assembly election, the silence period will start at 6 p.m. on April 27 and end with voting on April 29 at 6 p.m.," the ECI added.
On March 15, the ECI announced the schedule for the elections to the Legislative Assemblies of Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, as well as the by-elections for eight Assembly constituencies in Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Tripura.
While reiterating the poll panel's commitment to conduct "violence- and inducement-free" elections, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced that the results for the Assembly elections and by-elections will be declared on May 4.
